Scaffold



L. A. REINER Oct. 3, 1944.

S CAFFOLD 1942 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed April 50 (Ittornegs Oct. 3, 1944. l.. A. REINER 2,359,583

SCAFFOLD Filed April 30, 1942 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Snoenfor Gttornegs L. A. REINER Oct. 3, 1944.

S CAFFOLD Filed April 50, 1942 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Je@ /f er Gttornegs Patented Oct. 3, 1944 UNITED STATES PATENT voFFl'ci:

SCAFFOLD Leo A. Reiner', Detroit, Mich. Application April 30, 1942, Serial No. 441,080

Claims.

The present invention relates to scafiolds, and more particularly to scaiolds formed of detachable units.

The primary object of the invention is to provide a scaffold oi' the above mentioned type capable of being easily assembled and knocked down to facilitate the easy transportation of the scaffold to various locations.

Another object of the invention is to provide a scaffold structure formed of a series of units demountably connected which units are constructed of tubular material so that the joints may be easily assembled during erection in a minimum amount of time.

Another object of the invention is to provide a scaffold of the underpass type to allow for the passage of the workmen and building construction materials by arranging the units in spaced V relation and connecting the units by detachable truss rods.

Another object of the invention is to provide a scailold formed of a series of spaced units held in position by truss rods which have their ends detachably connected to threaded studs welded to the units by securing a double ended threaded member to the threaded stud so that the threaded member may be reversed if desired to provide a relatively long and short stud member for receiving the truss rods.

Another object of the invention is to provide an intermediate brace member for connecting units between the junctures thereof to facilitate the use of the scaffold in auditoriums, churches vand the like of relatively large interior areas.

Another object of the invention is to provide a, demountable sectional scaffold having caster supports which may be locked against movement by brake devices so that the swinging movement oi the caster relative to the sectional unit may be prevented as well as the caster itself.

Another object of the invention is to provide a scaffold constructed of sectional ladder units braced throughout their lengths at the point of juncture thereof and connected to a series of ladder units arranged in parallel relation and braced relative thereto by suitable truss rods detachably connected to the ends of the ladder units.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent during the course of the following description of the accompanying drawings wherein:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of one of the scaffold units of the underpass type.

Figure 2 is a front elevation of the same sh0W ing the manner in which the units are separably connected and illustrating a ladder attached to one oi the vertical standards at the point of juncture thereof.

Figure 3 is a horizontal cross sectional view taken on line 3-3 of Figure 1 looking in the direction of the arrows showing the manner in which an additional runway space may be coupled and supported by the spaced scaffold units.

Figure 4 is a horizontal cross sectional view taken in line 4-4 of Figure 2 looking in the direction of the arrows illustrating the manner of attaching and clamping the lower end of the ladder in position.

Figure 5 is a horizontal cross sectional view taken on' line I--E of Figure 2 looking in the direction of the arrows showing the manner in which the ladder is supported adjacent one oi the separable connections.

Figure 6 is a perspective diagrammatic view showing the manner in which the umts are coupled longitudinally for each course of scaffolding by crossed truss rods.

Figure '7 is a front elevation of the modified form of the invention showing a series of sectional ladder units connected by laterally extending truss rods.

Figure 8 is an end elevation oi' the modified form of the invention shown in Figure 7 showing the manner in which the ladder units are connected by transversely extending truss rods.

Figure 9 is a vertical cross section showing a modified support to facilitate the adjustment and leveling of the scaffold units.

Figure 10 is a perspective diagrammatic view showing the manner in which the ladders are connected by transversals extending diagonally and horizontally between the ladder units.

Figure 11 is a top plan view of a caster suppOrt for the form of the invention shown in Figures 1 and 2 illustrating the brake lock for preventing rotational movement of the caster.

Figure 12 is a side elevation partly in section illustrating the caster brake and the manual operator therefor.

Figure 13 is a front elevation of an intermediate connecting member or truss to connect a -series of units superposed in tower formation illustrating in detail the manner in which the ends of the truss are connected to the junctures of the units..

Figure 14 is a horizontal cross sectional view taken on line I 4-14 of Figure 13 looking in the direction of the arrows illustrating in detail the member illustrating manner of clamping the lower ends of the truss member in position by means oi a U-bolt.

Figure 15 is a front elevation of a clamping device for attaching the intermediate truss member at various locations along its length to `the vertical standards of the sectional scaffold units. Figure 18 is a side elevation of theclamping the manner in which the same is positioned. at the juncture of the demountable scaffold units.

Figure l'l is s horizontal cross sectional view teken on nneni1 of Figure 1s looking in the direction of the arrows showing the manner in which the lower portion of the clamping member is held in place against lateral movement.

Figure 18 is a side elevation of one of the sectional unit vertical standards showing kil. threaded stud attached thereto for receiving a double ended anchoring screw.

Figure 19 is a fragmentary perspective view of a clamping strap for connectingladders and additional elements to the scaffold units.

Figure 20 is a front elevational view of a clamping member which may be employed for connecting runway supporting bars or truss bars intermediate the lengths of the scaffold units.

Figure 21 is an end elevation showing the man-'- ner in which the clamping halves are hingedly connected for embracing one of the scaffold umts and a horizontal bar such as a runway supporting bar.

Figure 22 is a diagrammatic view showing a series of scailold units connected throughout their lengths by spaced diagonal truss bars and,

Figure v23 is a diagrammatic view showing a series of scailold units arranged in the form of towers connected by intermediate brace trusses to facilitate the use of the scaffold in structures of largearea such as churches and auditoriums.

In the drawings, wherein for the purpose of illustrating the invention and wherein like reference characters will be employed to designate like parts throughout the same, attention is first directed to Figures 1 to 6 inclusive and II and I2 wherein is shown a preferred embodiment of the invention and wherein the reference character I will generally be employed to designate a scaffold unit including vertical standards II connected to the top by a horizontal bar I2 the ends of which are provided with sleeves Il for receiving a portion of the free upper end of the vertical standard II. The horizontal bar I2 is welded or otherwise secured at its ends to the sleeves Il and a parallel base bar I4 likewise has its ends connected to tubular stock I! welded to the sleeves I3 as clearly shown in Figure 1. Brace bars I 8 have their lower ends beveled for being attached as by means of welding to the vertical standards II and have theirupper ends welded as at I1 to the juncture of the tubular brace bars I4 and I5. An intermediate brace IB sup.- ports the horizontal bars and holds them in spaced relation.

Each of the units above described, is preferably formed of tubular stock welded at the joints to provide a relatively rigid frame unit capable of supporting excessive weight and load as well as stresses and strains. It is intended, to provide a series of such units arranged as shown in Figure 6 for connecting in parallelism by means of diagonal truss rods I9 and horizontal connecting rods 20. The free ends of the truss rods I9 and 20 are detachably connected to studs 2l including a threaded member as shown in Figure 18 welded or otherwise secured to the vertical standards Il adjacent the ends thereof. There being one stud 2i provided for the lower end of each diagonal truss bar and a ber for attachment with the upper ends of the diagonal truss bars aswell as the ends of the horizontal bars Il. Each stud member 2l is threaded as at 22 for receiving a double ended bolt 2l having a relatively shortened end 24 and an opposed end 2l of a greater length so that the double ended bolt 2l may be reversed depending upon whether the bolt is used for anchoring the lower ends of the truss rods or the upper like thereto as at 3l.

ends in which case, it `would be necessary to employ the threaded portion of the nut having a greater length as at 2l. After the ends of the truss rods It have been placed upon the double ended bolt, a wing nut 2l is threaded thereon to securely hold the truss rods in position. The free ends of the truss rods II and 20 are flattened as at 21 to facilitate the easy attachment of said ends to the double ended bolt.

It is to be noted, that the tubular connecting elements Il extend well above the horizontal connecting bar l2 as at 2l for receiving the lower end of a superposed unit as shown in Figures 1 and 2. It is proposed, to construct each scaffold unit I0 so that the connecting sleeves 2l will receive the lower end of a superposed scaffold unit and thereby support the sameso that. the units may be quickly and -easily demounted or assembled at different locations of construction.

A runway formed of planking 3l may be supported by the horizontal connecting bars I2 and an additional runway portion or support may be provided and comprises a triangular frame unit including a horizontal bar li connected to a vertical supporting bar l2 by being welded or the A brace bar 34 has its lower end connected to the vertical bar as at 35 by welding or the like while the upper end is connected a weld joint 38. 'I'he extreme free end of the brace bar 34 is extended as at 31 to provide a limiting stop for additional planking or runway boards 3l supported by the horizontal bar The upper and lower portions of the vertical bar 32 are provided with brackets 39 and 40 and the bracket 39 has an arcuately curved extension 4I which terminates in a strap portion 42 having a downwardly depending horizontal connecting bar engaging portion 43. A complementar-y strap portion 44 has one of its ends as at 45 keyed in a slot in the bracket I9 while its opposite end terminates in a strap portion 46 complementary with the strap portion 42. A depending horizontal connecting bar and bracing portion 41 depends from the strap portion 48 and a bolt 48 is provided for clamping the parts 4I and 42 about the sleeve Il while the depending portions 43 and 41 embrace the end of the horizontal connecting bar I2.

The lower bracket 40 is formed with a strap portion similar to the strap portion 4I and a clamping strap 49 is keyed therein and is anchored to the free end of the bracket strap by means of a bolt or the like as at Il.

Certain scaffold units are provided with ladders generally designated as at ll and said ladders include stiles l2 connected by Va series of spaced rounds Il. Each ladder unit 5I is of substantially the same so that when the scaffold units are coupled in superposed relation the ladder units 5I will be coextenslvely arranged. The ladders are atthreaded stud memto the horizontal bar ll by means of i length as the scaffold unit tached to the'scafl'old units by s oi' horizontal bars 84 carrying int/erm late brackets Il vprovided with colltgl/Hr being telescopically receilorntheends 2l of the sleeves Il,

The Acollars 66 are slightly larger in diameter than its corresponding sleeve so that the collar will snugly ilt thereon. The lower end of each ladder unit carries a pair o1'y spaced horizontal bars 6l to which is attached a bracket I8 having an arcuat'ely curved clamping strap 60 to which is attached a cooperating clamping strap Il keyed thereto as at 62. 'I'he free ends oi' the clamping strapsl 60 and 6| as at 62 and Il respectively are drawn together by means of a bolt 64so that the lower end of the ladder unit will be supported in a rigid manner and will be prevented from rotation about the axis of the vertical standards Il.

It is intended to provide eachuof the lower scaffold units I with swinging casters 64 and said casters provide a casing 66 having a tubular extension 61 for receiving the lowerends of the vertical standards There being one caster unit provided for each scaffold unit and since all of said casters are identical only one will be described in detail. By reference to Figures 1l and 12, wherein is shown one of the casters in detail, it is to be noted that the tubular extension 61 is provided with a central bore 68 for receiving an internally threaded boss 69 formed integral with the housing 66. The lower portion of the tubular extension 61 is annularly flanged as at 10 and is provided with a series of notches or the like 1| for receiving a locking element which will be hereinafter more fully described A recess 1|a is formed in the underface of the annular ange 10 and is adapted to receive a ball race 'l2 so that the tubular extension 61 may be supported on anti-friction bearings 13 rolling in a ball race 14 received in a recess 15 of the casing 66. An anchoring bolt 16 is threaded in the internally threaded boss 69 and the head thereof as at 11 abuts a washer 18 which overlies the floor of the tubular extension to prevent displacement and separation thereof from the casing 66. The casing is provided with a relatively flat top wall 19 on which is positioned a cam 80 secured in place by means of a bolt 8| extending through the eccentrically formed opening 82 in the cam so that rotation thereof by means of a manual operating lever 83 will move the lever v84 toward and away from the annular flange 10. The locking lever 84 is pivoted to the relatively at wall 19 as at 85 so* that the free end will be interposed between the cam 80 and the annular flange 10. A bolt portion 86 is formed on the free end of tho pivoted lever 84 and is curved to fit the contour of the notches 1| in the annular flange 10.

A boot 81 is formed on the housing 66 and is provided with oppositely disposed Ybearings 88 for receiving a stub axle 89 upon which is rotatably mounted a caster wheel 90. The roar portion of the boot 81 is offset as at 9| so that a shaft 92 may have its free ends Journaled in the side walls of the boot. A brake element 93 is pivotally carried by the shaft 92 by means of a bearing portion 94 and formed integral with the bearing portion 94 is an operating arm or extension 95 located in the path of a cam 96 likewise mounted on a shaft 91 `iournaled in the side walls of the boot 81. An operating lever 98 has its inner end provided with a collar 99 for being attached to the shaft 91 and a stop pin |00 projects from the side wall of the boot 81 to limit the movement of the operating lever Il in one direction while a similar stop -pin |0| mounted opposite the'l stop pin |00 limits the swinging-movement of the brake operating lever 96 in the other direction. A coil spring |02 has one o f itsends abutting the brake block 8l while the opposite endA isreceived in a cavity formed in a screw threaded plug |09 threaded in a suitable opening |04 in the voil'set portion of the boot 0|. A lock nut |06 is threaded on the plug |03 so that the plug may be adjusted to increase or decrease tension on the coil spring |02 and then lock in position by the locking nut |05.

In the form of the invention shown in Figures 7 to 10 inclusive, the scail'old units comprise ladder sections ||0 comprising stiles connected by spaced ladder rounds H2. -Foot pads Ill are provided for the lower ends of the lower ladder sections ||0 while the upper ends of the stiles are provided with sleeves ||4 similar to the sleeves I3 in Figures. 1 and 2. The upper ladder units III or stiles have their lower ends received in the sleeves ||4 in an upwardly projecting portion ||5 and said ladder sections are preferably formed of tubular stock to facilitate easy construction and the assemblage of the various elements. The ladder units are adapted to be arranged as shown in Figure 8 to form an under-pass scaffold structure as shown in Figure 10. It is proposed to arrange the scail'old ladder units III) one above the other in superposed relationship and to connect the same by diagonally extending truss bars IIS and horizontal truss bars H1.' ,The truss bars are formed of tubular materialy and are flattened at their free ends for receiving anchoring studs ||8 similar to the anchoring studs shown in Figure 18. Wingnuts ||9 are provided for securing the free ends of the truss bars ||6 and I1 in position.

After an underpass scaffold tower has been constructed, a number of such towers are connected together longitudinally throughout their length by diagonal truss bars |20 the free ends of which are flattened as at |2| for receiving a bolt |22 carried by a lateral extension |23 formed integral with the connecting sleeves H4. A wing nut |24 may be threaded on the free end of the bolt |22 to securely hold. the truss bars |20 in place. It is intended to brace the ladder scaffold units in such a manner that the horizontal truss rod |1 may be used for supporting planking at variously spaced intervals throughout the length of the tower structure, l

If desired, the stiles may be provided with a casing |25 having a tubular extension |26 telescopically received in the lower end of the lowermost scaffold unit or stile and threaded in said tubular extension |26 is a screw threaded shaft through an opening in the lower wall of the casing |25 as at |28 and is provided with a foot or pad |29. Threaded on the screw threaded rod |21 is a bevel gear |30 having its teeth in mesh with a bevel gear |3| mounted on a shaft |32 journaled in a tubular bearing extension |33 in the Icasing |25. The outer end of the shaft |32 is squared as at |34 for receiving a wrench or the like to effect rotation of the bevel gear |30 and thereby raise or lower the scaffold unit so that the same will be leveled with respect to the surface upon which it is supported.

An intermediate member for connecting a series of scaiold units is provided and attention is directed tovFigures 13 to 17 inclusive wherein the mode of connecting the intermediate unit is |21 the lower end of which` projects'A |51 and transverse brace bars |35.

shown in detail. The intermediate unit comprises spaced parallel bars |35 and |34 braced throughout. their length by diagonal brace vbars fl'iie free ends of the bars |55 are provided withv collars |50 for receiving a sleeve |40 similarl to the sleeve I8 shownin Figures 1 and 2 and the vsleeve ||4 shown in Figures 'I and 8. Brace webs |40 connect the collars |85 with the horizontal bars |85 to strengthen the structure and prevent lateral swaying o! the scaffold tower vertical standards |42. In the form of the invention shown in Figures 13 to 17 inclusive,l the scaticld sections assume the form of the invention" shown in Figures '7 and 8 and are intended to'represent the extreme upper ends of scailold sections which are desired to be connected. The lower horizontal bar |35 has its free ends flattened and oiiset as Vat |45 so that the same may be provided with spaced openings for receiving a U-bolt |44 the ends of which project through said openings and are fastened in place by nuts |45. The U-bolt |44 embraces the upper end of one of the uppermost scaffold units to rigidly secure the unit in position relative to another scaii'old unit.

Where it is desired to support the intermediate portion of the intermediate brace or truss. a clamping plate |45 is secured to a point ot juncture of the scail'old units by providing a collar |45 on one end thereof for encircling one of the connecting sleeves |40. The lower end of the plate |48 is provided with spaced straps |50 which straddle the lower sca'old standard |44a as shown in Figure 17. The straps |50 may be secured in place by welding or the like and said plate |48 is provided adjacent its upper end with hooks and |52 for embracing the upper and lower horizontal bars |55 and |35 of the intermediate truss member. A clamping plate |55 has one of its ends return bent as at |54 and its opposite end curved as at |55 for embracing the horizontal pipe |55 and the hook member |52 respectively. A clamping bolt |55 is secured to the plate |48 and has its threaded end projecting through an opening in the clamping plate |53 so that a Wing nut |51 may be threaded thereon to securely draw the intermediate truss into position. In Figure 19, there is shown a strap connection similar to the connection employed for anchoring the lower end of the ladder 5| shown in Figures 1 and 2 and said strap connection is shown in detail for the purpose of illustrating the manner in which the same may be applicable for fastening such items as the ladder 5| or the additional runway support for supporting the planking 38.

In Figures and 21, there is shown a tubular element connecting member |50 comprising complementary hinged sections |5| hinged as at |82 for embracing one of the horizontal bars |55 of a'scail'old structure. Formed integral with each complementary hinged section 15| is a semi-circular portion |54 which is adapted to cooperate with its complementary portion for embracing a tubular scaffold element |55 at right angles to the scaffold element |53. The complementary hinged sections |5| are flanged as at |55 for receiving bolt fasteners |51. This connector may be used in locations where it is desired to apply additional truss bars or to connect scaffold units at points wholly independent of the diagonal truss bars.

In Figures 22 and 23 there is shown the manner in which the scaffolding illustrated in Figures l, 2, 'l and 8, may be employed for building up a tower along a wall or within a church structure or auditorium. In Figure 22. the scailolding is built up of sections I0 having 'a ladder 5| extending the full height oi the towerand said sections are braced by the-horizontal truss' bars 2l and diagonal truss bars I0. The vertical standards are connected .at spaced points or intervals to produce the continuous structure as shown in Figure 22.

When the scaiilolding shown in Figures 'l and 8 is employed in locations such as a church or auditorium as shown in Figure A23, the ladder sections ||0 are superposed one on the other and by the use ot intermediate truss bars |55 and |25-, the spaced scaiiold towers ||0 may be connected adjacent their upperv ends 'so that vrunways may be adequately supported to facili tate the workmen preparing the walls or ceiling of said structure. The intermediate trusses formed bythe spaced parallel bars |55v and |85 may be connected to the vertical standards of the scaiiold units by means oi' the connections shown in Figures 13 and 17 inclusive and by arranging the units and the intermediate connecting bars in various fashions, a number of diflerent scaffold structures may be provided.

It is to be understood, that the forms of the y invention herewith shown and described are to be taken as preferred embodiments of the same and that various changes in the shape, size and arrangement of the scaiiold units and parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the subjoined claims.

What I claim is:

1. Ay scaiiold structure comprising a series of tubular scaii'old units arranged in end to end relationship, coupling sleeves secured to the upper ends of said units to provide a socket for the lower ends of adjacent units and for detachably connecting the lends o! said units, threaded members secured to the tubular units at equidistant points, threaded studs having op posed threaded portions for being alternately received in the threaded members whereby said studs may be reversed and interchangeably threaded in said threaded members, and truss bars adapted to be secured to said threaded studs and threaded members.

2. A scaffold comprising a series of tubular scaflold units arranged vertically in end to end relation, connecting sleeves for coupling the ends of said units together, threaded members secured to said tubular members, threaded studs having opposed reversible threaded portions adapted to be threaded in said threaded members for interchangeable use,' and truss bars for connecting independent units removably 'secured to said threaded studs and threaded members.

f 3. A scaold comprising a series of separably connected tubular scaffold units arranged in superposed relation to form a tower, telescopic tubular sleeve connections'secured to the upper ends of the units to provide a socket for receiving the opposite end of an adjacent unit for the ends of said sections, screw-threaded members rigidly mounted on the vertical members of said units, screw-threaded studs removably mounted in said screw-threaded members, horizontal and diagonal truss bars detachably fastened to said screw-threaded members and studs and caster supports removably and interchangeably secured to the lower ends of said scaffold units.

4. A scaffold comprising a series of tubular scaffold units arranged in superposed relation, each unit comprising a frame portion having vertical standards and a connecting bar for supporting a runway, tubular sleeve connectors for the upper ends of the tubular standards to form a socket for receiving the lower end of an adjacent unit, casters removably and interchangeably secured to the lowermost ends of the lower scaffold units, threaded connections arranged in spaced relation on each unit, threaded studs adapted to be interchangeably mounted in the threaded connections, transversely extending truss rods detachably secured to the threaded studs and fastenings and longitudinally extending diagonal truss bars connecting said units.

5. A scaffold comprising a series of sectional tubular scaffold units arranged in superposed relation to form two or more scaffold towers, a tubular sleeve secured to the upper ends of each unit forming a socket for the opposite end of an adjacent unit and to form a supporting surface, means for bracing said towers throughout their length and detachable connecting brace members having collars at each end for being secured on the tubular sleeves on the upper ends of said units whereby said detachable brace connecting members may be interchanged.

LEO .A. REINER. 

